Biodiversity Conservation & Protected Areas

Statement 1 is Correct: The Western Hoolock Gibbon is native to North-east India, and the Hollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary in Assam is a prominent protected area specifically dedicated to this species. Furthermore, the Western Hoolock Gibbon is classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List. Statement 2 is Correct: They are highly arboreal canopy-dwellers. They move primarily through brachiation—a specialized mode of locomotion where they use their exceptionally long arms to swing swiftly and effortlessly from tree branch to tree branch. Statement 3 is Incorrect: Gibbons are classified as "lesser apes" (family *Hylobatidae*). Unlike "great apes" such as gorillas which possess massive, heavy builds, Hoolock gibbons are small, slender, and lightweight. Adults typically weigh only 6 to 9 kg, a physical adaptation that is essential for their remarkable aerial agility in the forest canopy. Therefore, option B is the correct answer.

Statement 1 is Incorrect: Mangroves do not store freshwater, nor are they naturally suited for paddy cultivation. In fact, the clearing of mangrove forests to create agricultural land (like paddy fields) has historically been a primary driver of their destruction, rather than a reason for their protection. Statement 2 is Incorrect: Mangroves are halophytes, meaning they are highly salt-tolerant, not salt-sensitive. While their specialized root systems have ultrafiltration mechanisms to exclude salt, they do not convert coastal lands into freshwater zones. Furthermore, clearing mangroves for shrimp and aquaculture farms is a major threat to these ecosystems, not a conservation rationale. Statement 3 is Correct: In the context of climate resilience, mangroves act as natural bio-shields. Their dense root networks (such as stilt roots and pneumatophores) stabilize coastal soils and dissipate tidal energy, protecting coasts from storm surges and cyclones. Additionally, they are highly productive ecosystems that provide sustainable biomass resources (like timber, honey, and fish breeding grounds), forming a crucial livelihood base for rural coastal communities. Therefore, option D is the correct answer.

Statement 1 is Correct: The National Institute for Research and Application of Natural Resources to Transform, Adapt and Build Resilience (NIRANTAR) is a collaborative platform under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC). Ecosystem Survey & Analysis is one of its four thematic verticals, and its lead institute is the Botanical Survey of India (BSI), Kolkata. Statement 2 is Incorrect: The Research and Management of Ecosystem Service vertical is led by the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE), Dehradun, not the Central Zoo Authority (CZA). The CZA is merely a participating institute under this vertical. Statement 3 is Correct: The Capacity Development Support vertical focuses on research, education, and capacity building. The lead institute for this vertical is the Indian Institute of Forest Management (IIFM), Bhopal. Therefore, option B is the correct answer.

Statement 1 is Correct: Doyang Lake in Nagaland represents a major community-led conservation victory. Previously, hundreds of thousands of Amur Falcons were trapped and hunted annually. Following sustained interventions by conservationists, NGOs, and the Nagaland Forest Department, local communities completely stopped the hunting, turning into protectors. This safe passage earned Nagaland the title "Falcon Capital of the World." Statement 2 is Incorrect: Scientists use advanced tracking technologies (like lightweight solar-powered satellite transmitters) to monitor and study the falcons' migration routes, stopover durations, and flight speeds. These devices collect data for researchers; they do not guide the birds. The falcons rely entirely on natural navigation and environmental cues to find their way back to stopover sites. Statement 3 is Incorrect: Amur Falcons are long-distance migratory raptors, not permanent residents of India. They breed in Siberia and Northern China and migrate annually to their wintering grounds in Southern Africa. During their approximately 22,000 km journey, they use Northeast India—specifically Doyang Lake in Nagaland—as a temporary stopover for a few weeks (October–November) to build fat reserves before undertaking a massive non-stop flight across the Arabian Sea. Therefore, option A is the correct answer.

The Khasi Hills Community REDD+ Project holds the distinction of being India’s very first REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation) project. It is certified under the Plan Vivo Standard, a globally recognized, fair-trade-styled framework specifically designed for community-based forest carbon projects. The project is located in the East Khasi Hills District of Meghalaya, situated along the Umiam River watershed. It is managed by a federation of 10 indigenous Khasi tribal kingdoms (comprising over 60 local communities), locally known as a Synjuk. The project utilizes REDD+ to protect existing dense forests and ancient indigenous sacred groves, and Assisted Natural Regeneration (ANR) to restore degraded open forests. Uttarakhand REDD+ project is incorrect as, while Uttarakhand has engaged in REDD+ readiness and pilot initiatives, it does not hold the title of the first Plan Vivo certified project in India. ICFRE-ICIMOD Transboundary REDD+ project in North-Eastern Himalayas is incorrect. This is a broader transboundary initiative focused on capacity building and REDD+ readiness across Himalayan countries, rather than a specific, first-of-its-kind Plan Vivo certified community project in India. Sikkim Mamley Kamrang Community REDD+ project is incorrect. Although Sikkim has undertaken significant forest conservation and climate mitigation efforts, the Khasi Hills project is officially recognized as India's first Plan Vivo certified REDD+ project. Therefore, the correct option is C.

Statement 1 is Correct: Madhav National Park was officially declared as India's 58th Tiger Reserve (and the 9th in Madhya Pradesh) by the Union Environment Ministry in March 2025, following a successful tiger reintroduction program that began in 2023. Statement 2 is Correct: Sakhya Sagar, a human-made reservoir created in 1918, is situated inside Madhav National Park. It was officially designated as a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance in 2022 and is known for its abundant marsh crocodile population and migratory waterfowl. Statement 3 is Incorrect: Madhav National Park is located entirely within the Shivpuri district of Madhya Pradesh, situated on the northern fringe of the Central Highlands. It does not share its area with Rajasthan. Therefore, option B is the correct answer.

Ecuador is the correct answer. The Tungurahua Volcano, whose name translates to "Throat of Fire" in the indigenous Quichua language, is a highly active stratovolcano located in the Cordillera Oriental of the central Andes in Ecuador. In April 2025, the volcano and its surrounding territory were officially designated as a UNESCO Global Geopark. The newly designated geopark spans over 2,300 square kilometers across the Tungurahua and Chimborazo provinces, preserving over 417 million years of geological history, including volcanic formations and glacial activity. It sits within Sangay National Park and towers over the town of Baños de Agua Santa. Peru, Bolivia, and Colombia are incorrect. While these are all South American nations that share the Andes mountain range and possess their own significant volcanic peaks (such as Nevado del Ruiz in Colombia or Ubinas in Peru), the Tungurahua Volcano is located exclusively within the borders of Ecuador. Therefore, the correct option is A.

✅ A. The European Union:
The Nature Restoration Law (NRL) is an EU legislative initiative adopted in 2024. It sets binding targets to restore ecosystems, fight climate change, and protect biodiversity across EU member states. ❌ B. The World Bank:
An international financial institution providing loans and grants; it does not enact laws like the NRL. ❌ C. OECD:
An organization promoting economic cooperation and policy coordination; it does not enact binding environmental laws such as the NRL. ❌ D. FAO:
A UN agency focused on hunger and agriculture; it does not enact regional laws like the NRL.

The Peacock tarantula (Gooty tarantula) is a rare, tree-dwelling spider found in limited forest areas in India. ❌ Statement I is incorrect:
* It is a spider (arachnid), not an omnivorous crustacean. ✅ Statement II is correct:
* Its habitat is restricted to some forest areas in the Eastern Ghats. ✅ Statement III is correct:
* It is arboreal, living in trees and tree crevices. So, the correct answer is: D

Nature-based solutions involve using natural processes to tackle climate change and biodiversity loss, often needing dedicated financial support. ADB launched the Nature Solutions Finance Hub for Asia and the Pacific to fund nature-based solutions for climate and environmental challenges in the region.